Threats Are Not Laughing Matters

Our Towns: Torrington & Neighbors

May 03, 1999

In the aftermath of the shooting rampage that left 15 dead at Columbine High School in Colorado, police and school officials in Connecticut and across the country are on heightened alert for threats of student violence. Schools are being evacuated, guards are being posted in hallways and suggestions of violent acts are leading to suspensions and arrests. Under the circumstances, vigilance is justified.

In Torrington last week, four students were arrested for either talking about bringing bombs to school or threatening teachers. A fifth student who brought empty shell casings to class was suspended.

In Winsted, a student at Northwestern Regional School No. 7 was heard describing how to carry out violence similar to the type that occurred in Littleton, Colo. In New Hartford, an 11-year-old allegedly threatened to harm others at a school dance. In both cases, authorities acted properly in suspending the students.

Some school officials said that in the present climate of fear they can no longer separate threats from misguided stabs at humor. But even if the Columbine shootings had never occurred, comments about death and violence should always be taken seriously. No remark can be dismissed as an idle prank.

This would be an excellent time for parents to have a serious conversation with their children about the consequences of threatening others. Arrest and expulsion from school should not be taken lightly. They diminish a student's chances of graduating from high school, entering college and earning a decent living.

Perhaps the memory of Littleton will fade away eventually and school officials can return to full-time concentration on the business of education, which no doubt they would prefer to do. But they are right to show little tolerance toward those students who want to exploit the current situation.